Iron-on cuff extenders and method of using same

ABSTRACT

An iron-on pants leg or arm sleeve fabric extender used to either increase the number of times a person is able to wear a garment and/or to add personalized embellishments to articles of clothing. The additional fabric can be attached by using a hot iron to affix iron-on tape between the extender cuff and the article of clothing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/706,907, filed Feb. 17, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/153,525, filed Feb. 18, 2009. Both of said applications are incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Children often grow more quickly in height than they do in girth, creating pants and shirts that fit in the waist or torso, but are too short in the legs or arms, or conversely, pants and shirts that fit in length, but are too large in the waist and torso areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost, simple alternative to increase the number of times a child is able to wear a piece of clothing and have it fit correctly. Another object of the present invention is to provide the user will be able to add length to their child's clothing, thereby increasing the shelf-life of that article of clothing.

It is a further object of the present invention is to be able to add detail to an article of clothing to personalize that clothing to their individual tastes. A parent will be able to take their child's shirt/pants and add detail to it to give it a high-end boutique appeal. In addition, adults, teens and pre-teens can add detail to fit their personalities better than the blank articles of clothing available today. These and other objects of the invention can be achieved in the preferred embodiments of the invention described below.

One embodiment of the invention comprises An extending apparatus for use with clothing comprising a substantially rectangular piece of material having first and second opposed edges, and third and fourth opposed edges substantially perpendicular to the first and second edges, and attachment means positioned proximate the first edge, the second edge and the third edge of the substantially rectangular piece. The attachment means is adapted for attachment to clothing and does not include sewing. The piece is foldable along a line extending substantially parallel to the first and second edge to form an area for receiving a terminal end of a pant leg or a shirt sleeve, and the piece is rollable into a cylinder having a desired circumference by attaching the third edge at a desired position of the piece proximate to the fourth edge, such that the piece is conformable to the circumference of the pant leg or shirt sleeve.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the attachment means comprises adhesive positioned along the first edge, the second edge and the third edge. The piece of material can be comprised of cloth.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for elongating a pant leg or shirt sleeve includes the steps of providing a pant leg or shirt sleeve to be extended, and providing a substantially rectangular piece of material comprising first and second longitudinal opposed edges, and first and second opposed lateral edges substantially perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal edges, a first section of adhesive positioned proximate the first longitudinal edge, a second section of adhesive positioned proximate the second longitudinal edge, and a third section of adhesive positioned proximate the first lateral edge of the rectangular piece. The substantially rectangular piece is folded along a center fold line extending substantially parallel to the first and second edge to form an area for receiving a terminal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve. The piece is rolled to form a cylinder having a circumference approximately equal to a circumference of the terminal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve to be extended, and the third adhesive section is adhered to the piece to maintain the piece in a cylinder having the circumference approximately equal to the circumference of the terminal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve. The terminal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve is positioned within the folded piece, the first and second adhesive sections are adhered to the pant leg or shirt sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is a frontal view of cuff extenders according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2. is a depiction of how to apply the pant cuff extenders to the bottom of the pant leg;

FIG. 3. is an additional depiction of how to apply the pant cuff extenders to the bottom of the pant leg;

FIG. 4. shows the cuff properly adhered to the pant;

FIG. 5. is a front view of the entire pair of pants with the added cuff extenders on both pant legs;

FIG. 6 is a frontal view of a cuff extender according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of a cuff extender according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of a cuff extender according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is an environmental view of the cuff extender of FIG. 1, showing the cuff extender with a shirt sleeve;

FIGS. 10-20 illustrate a method of using the cuff extender of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of a cuff extender according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A pair of cuff extenders according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, and shown generally at reference numeral 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the cuff extenders 12 can be used on the legs 11 of a pair of pants 10. The pant cuff extenders 12 are comprised of rectangular pieces of material having a center fold line 13, and four sides 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, 14 d. The material can be cloth, or other material suitable for clothing. The cuff extender 12 includes attachment means for attaching one side of the extender 14 c to an opposite side 14 d, and attaching the cuff extender 12 to a piece of clothing, such as pants 10. The attachment means preferably does not include sewing or stitching. The attachment means can comprise three pieces of iron-on adhesive tape 14 applied to the two long edges 14 a, 14 b and one short edge 14 c of the backside of the fabric.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method of using the cuff extenders 12 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the pant cuff extenders 12 are applied to the bottom of the pant leg 11, after folding the cloth on the fold line 13, with the iron-on adhesive tape 14 facing each other and right sides of the fabric facing out.

As shown in FIG. 3, one edge of the cuff extender 12 is placed inside the other folded edge allowing the adhesive edge 14 c to be on the outside edge, making the cuff 12 the same circumference of the pant leg 11. Once the circumference of the cuff 12 matches the pant leg 11, place the pant leg 11 into the cuff 12 and press all edges with an iron 35 until the adhesive tape 14 is properly adhered to the pant leg 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cuff extender 12 is properly adhered to the pant leg 11, with the positioning of the adhesive tape 14 and the fabric fold 13.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the entire pair of pants 10 with the added cuff extenders 12 on both pant legs 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, one edge of the cuff extender 32 can be placed inside the other folded edge allowing the adhesive edge 14 c to be on the outside edge, making the cuff 12 the same circumference of the pant leg 11. Once the circumference of the cuff 12 matches the pant leg 11, place the pant leg 11 into the cuff 12 and press all edges with an iron 35 until the adhesive tape 14 is properly adhered to the pant leg 11.

Alternatively, the attachment means can comprise one edge of adhesive tape, non-iron or heat-set fabric glue, snaps, buttons, hook and loop closure or other means of fastening a piece of cloth to the bottom of pant legs, skirts, dresses, sleeves or other articles of clothing not mentioned to create added length or decoration.

As shown in FIG. 6, a cuff extender 22 according to another embodiment of the invention utilizes snaps 24, and has a center fold line 23. As shown in FIG. 7, a cuff extender 32 according to another embodiment of the invention utilizes buttons 34 and has a center fold line 33. As shown in FIG. 8, a cuff extender 42 according to another embodiment of the invention utilizes hook and loop fasteners 44, and has a center fold line 43.

As mentioned above, the cuff extender 12 can be used on any garment that needing added length or ease of decoration. Applying the invention to pants is only one example of a method of using the cuff extenders, but the invention is not so limited and can be used on other articles of clothing. For example, the cuff extender 12 can be applied to the sleeve 51 of a shirt 50, as shown in FIG. 9, using the method described above.

By having non-sew attachment means along three edges 14 a, 14 b, 14 c of the substantially rectangular cuff extender 12, the circumference of the extender 12 can be adjusted at will to conform to the circumference of a particular pant leg 11 or shirt sleeve 51 by rolling the piece into a cylinder and attaching the third edge 14 c of the extender 12 at a desired location on the extender 12 proximate the fourth edge 14 d.

The iron-on cuff extenders 12 provide a number of advantages. One advantage is that the user is able to add length to a child's clothing, thereby increasing the shelf-life of that article of clothing. Frequently a child grows more quickly in height than they do in girth, creating either pants and/or shirts that fit in the waist/torso but are too short in the legs and/or arms, or conversely, pants and/or shirts that fit in length, but are too large in the waist and torso areas. The cuff extenders 12 provide a low-cost, simple alternative to increase the number of times the child is able to wear a single piece of clothing and have it fit correctly.

Another advantage of the cuff extender 12 is to be able to add detail to an article of clothing to personalize that clothing to individual tastes. A parent can take their child's shirt or pants and add detail to it to give it a high-end boutique appeal. In addition, adults, teens and pre-teens can add detail to fit their personalities better than the generic articles of clothing available today.

While the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitation on the scope of the invention, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. For example, different materials, sizes and closures can be used on all components. In lieu of iron-on adhesive tape, extender cuffs 12 can be adhered with buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners or hook and eye fasteners.

FIGS. 10-20 illustrate a method of using the cuff extender 12 on an article of clothing such as pants 10 according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. In this method, the attachment means of the cuff extender 12 can be comprised of adhesive applied only to one long edge 14 b, and one side edge 14 c, which are covered by peelable paper strips 64 b, 64 c, respectively. Adhesive need not be positioned on the second long edge 14 a. The pants 10 are pre-washed using a standard detergent. Fabric softener should not be used on the pants 10 in the washer or dryer, as it may cause the adhesive to not adhere properly. Fabric softener may be used on the pants when washing after the cuff extenders 12 are applied.

The bottom hem of the pants should be removed to provide a flatter surface for fusing the cuff extenders 12 as well as improving the overall look of the pants 10. The hem can be removed by either cutting off the hems, or taking out all hem stitches, then ironing the fabric flat. To add as much length as possible, the hem stitching should be removed as this will provide additional fabric.

An iron 35 is pre-heated on medium/high (cotton) setting with medium steam. The paper cover strip 64 c is removed from the short edge 14 c of the extender 12 exposing the fusible adhesive positioned thereon, as shown in FIG. 10. With the pattern side out, one extender 12 is wrapped to fit snugly around one pant leg 11 with the short edge 14 c overlapping the opposite unfinished short edge 14 d, as shown in FIG. 11. The extender 12 is positioned exactly where the user wants it to be permanently applied to the pant leg 11 so that the circumference of the extender 12 exactly matches the circumference of the pant leg 11. The edges 14 c, 14 d are aligned where they overlap.

The pant leg 11 should be right side out and the upper long finished edge 14 a of the extender 12 is preferably at least one inch, i.e., the width of the paper tape, above the bottom edge of the pant leg 11. The long serged bottom edge 14 b of the extender 12 is preferably extending off the end of the pant leg 11. The user should ensure there are no wrinkles in the pant leg 11 or the extender 12 fabric by holding both the pant leg 11 and the extender 12 flat with the user's fingers.

As shown in FIG. 12, the hot iron 35 is placed over the finished side edge 14 c and fuse this edge to the extender 12 fabric underneath, forming the extender 12 into a cylinder. “Fuse” as used in this particular method, means that a hot iron 35 is held in place on the fabric for about twenty to twenty-five seconds to ensure the entire adhesive strip has been heated thoroughly. The user should watch the fabric closely so as not to scorch either fabric, and should fuse small sections at a time, keeping both the pant 10 fabric and the extender 12 fabric smooth while fusing. The fabric is allowed to cool for at least one minute before proceeding. Next, the pants 10 are lightly marked with a pencil where the top edge 14 a of the extender 12 is on the pant leg 11.

The extender 12 is removed from the pant leg 10 and turned inside out so that the decorative pattern side 12 a of the extender 12 is on the inside, and the adhesive side 12 b of the extender is exposed, as shown in FIG. 13. Excess fabric 16 from the unfused raw side edge 14 d is cut off. The paper adhesive cover 64 b is removed from the long finished edge 14 b. The extender 12 cylinder is turned inside out again to expose the decorative pattern-side 12 a on the outside again.

The extender 12 cylinder is placed back onto the pant leg 11 with the finished top edge 14 a pulled over the pant hem and matched to the pencil mark, as shown in FIG. 14. The finished side edge 14 c of the extender 12 is matched with the outside seam 10 c of the pants 10 so the pant seam 10 c and the edge 14 c form a straight line, as shown in FIG. 15. The extender 12 should be positioned so that the width of the extender 12 exactly matches the width of the pant leg 11 to avoid getting wrinkles in either of the fabrics. The extender 12 is positioned straight on the pant leg 11 where desired by the user.

The pants 10 are turned inside out and lay flat, with the serged bottom edge 14 b at the bottom, as shown in FIG. 16. The final paper adhesive cover 64 b is removed from the extender 12.

The serged bottom edge 14 b is turned up to bring it on top of the pant leg 11, as shown in FIG. 17. The placement of the serged side edge 14 d is adjusted on the pant leg 11 higher or lower to make the final pant leg 11 length shorter or longer, as shown in FIG. 18. At this point, the extender 12 should be fused completely onto the pant leg 11 and not to itself.

The bottom edge 14 b of the extender 12 is placed where the user wants it, and both the extender 12 and pant leg 11 fabrics are flat and wrinkle-free. As shown in FIG. 19, the serged bottom edge 14 b is fused onto the pant leg 11, being sure to heat and fuse all the way around the pant leg 11.

The first extender 12 is now finished, as shown in FIG. 20. To apply a second extender 12 to a second pants leg 11, the above steps can be repeated.

A cuff extender according another preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 21, and shown generally at reference numeral 112. The cuff extender 112 can provide a ruffled belle bottom to a conventional pant leg. Figure shows a right pant leg version 112, and a left pant leg version 112′ of the extender.

As shown in FIG. 21, the cuff extender 112 is comprised of rectangular pieces of material having four sides 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, 114 d. The top long edge 114 a has a paper covered adhesive strip 164 a, and a short fabric loop edge having an adhesive strip is positioned at a short edge 114 c. The bottom edge 114 b has decorative ruffles. The left pant leg version '112 is a mirror image of the right leg version 112.

A cuff extender and method of using same are described above. Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from its scope. The above description of the preferred embodiments and best mode of the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation—the invention being defined by the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An extending apparatus for use with clothing comprising: (a) a substantially rectangular piece of material having first and second opposed edges, and third and fourth opposed edges substantially perpendicular to the first and second edges; (b) attachment means positioned proximate the first edge, the second edge and the third edge of the substantially rectangular piece, wherein the attachment means is adapted for attachment to clothing and does not include sewing; and (c) wherein the piece is foldable along a line extending substantially parallel to the first and second edge to form an area for receiving a terminal end of a pant leg or a shirt sleeve, and the piece is rollable into a cylinder having a desired circumference by attaching the third edge at a desired position of the piece proximate to the fourth edge, whereby the piece is conformable to the circumference of the pant leg or shirt sleeve.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises adhesive positioned along the first edge, the second edge and the third edge.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the piece of material comprises cloth.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the attachment means comprises adhesive adapted for adhering to cloth positioned along the first edge, the second edge and the third edge.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the attachment means comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of heat fusible adhesive strips, fabric glue, snaps, buttons and hook and loop fasteners.
 6. An apparatus for extending length of a pant leg or shirt sleeve comprising: (a) a substantially rectangular piece of material having first and second longitudinal opposed edges, and first and second opposed lateral edges substantially perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal edges; (b) a first section of adhesive positioned proximate the first longitudinal edge, a second section of adhesive positioned proximate the second longitudinal edge, and a third section of adhesive positioned proximate the first lateral edge of the piece; and (c) wherein the piece is foldable along a line extending between and substantially parallel to the first and second edge to form an area for receiving a terminal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve, and the piece is rollable into a cylinder having a desired circumference by adhering the third adhesive section to a desired position of the piece proximate to the fourth edge, whereby the piece is conformable to the circumference of the pant leg or shirt sleeve.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first, second and third sections of adhesive each comprise a strip of iron-on adhesive tape.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the piece of material comprises cloth, and the adhesive is adapted for adhering to cloth.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of heat fusible adhesive and fabric glue.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the piece includes no sewing.
 11. A method for elongating a pant leg or shirt sleeve comprising the steps of: (a) providing a pant leg or shirt sleeve to be extended; (b) providing a substantially rectangular piece of material comprising first and second longitudinal opposed edges, and first and second opposed lateral edges substantially perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal edges, a first section of adhesive positioned proximate the first longitudinal edge, a second section of adhesive positioned proximate the second longitudinal edge, and a third section of adhesive positioned proximate the first lateral edge of the rectangular piece; (c) folding the substantially rectangular piece along a center fold line extending substantially parallel to the first and second edge to form an area for receiving a terminal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve; (d) rolling the piece to form a cylinder having a circumference approximately equal to a circumference of the terminal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve to be extended, and adhering the third adhesive section to the piece to maintain the piece in a cylinder having the circumference approximately equal to the circumference of the terminal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve; (e) positioning the terminal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve within the folded piece; and (f) adhering the first and second adhesive sections to the pant leg or shirt sleeve.
 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the wherein the first, second and third sections of adhesive each comprise a strip of iron-on adhesive tape.
 13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the step of adhering the first and second adhesive sections to the pant leg or shirt sleeve includes applying heat to the first and second adhesive sections and the pant leg or shirt sleeve. 